New Delhi, August 11 (APAC Media): IAS Sushil Kumar Lohani has been appointed Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India.Â
The post has been temporarily upgraded to the Secretary level.
Lohani will succeed IAS Sunil Paliwal, who has been appointed Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Nearly Three Decades of Administrative Experience
A 1995-batch Odisha cadre officer, Lohani is currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
He has previously served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, where he handled key areas concerning decentralised governance, policy formulation and institutional strengthening of rural administrative structures.
During his tenure in Odisha, Lohani has held several senior positions, including Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary in the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water sectors. He has also served as District Magistrate and Collector of Sambalpur, Balangir, and Kendujhar.
Experience Across Central Ministries
At the Centre, Lohani has held diverse assignments, including Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Joint Secretary in the Department of Fertilizers, and Executive Director at the Rural Electrification Corporation.
His multidisciplinary academic background includes a degree in Mechanical Engineering, along with specialised certifications in Economics and Information Technology.
With extensive experience spanning field administration, rural governance, infrastructure and central policymaking, Lohani brings a broad administrative perspective to his new role at the IWAI, which is responsible for the development and regulation of India’s inland waterways.
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